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How-To Geek

This week we learned how to check if your CPU supports second level address translation (SLAT), speed up Microsoft Word 2007 and 2010, create your own Windows 8 shortcuts, understand those confusing Windows 7 file/share permissions, looked through a roundup of the best Linux home server apps, and more.

Weekly News Links

uTorrent server delivered malware for two hours on TuesdayThe BitTorrent company has confirmed that its uTorrent servers were hacked on Tuesday 13 September and, for almost two hours, anyone downloading the uTorrent client software from the servers received a scareware fake anti-virus package instead.

Return of the BIOS trojansChinese AV vendor 360 has discovered a virus in the wild that makes its home in a computer’s BIOS, where it remains hidden from conventional virus scanners.

Facebook tool helps out stalkersSecurity experts have demonstrated Facebook Pwn, a Java tool which uses social engineering to obtain personal details of Facebook users that are not publicly accessible.

Hundreds of Go Daddy-hosted sites compromisedHundreds of Web sites hosted by Go Daddy were found to be compromised this week and were redirecting visitors who’d arrived at the sites from search engines to a site with malware on it.

Italian researcher finds more SCADA holesAn Italian researcher has uncovered at least a dozen security flaws in software used in utilities and other critical infrastructure systems, prompting security advisories from the U.S. government.

Stock exchanges face threats despite stronger securityThe function of stock exchanges as a “meeting place” and the need to be time-sensitive make them vulnerable to security threats, despite their more stringent security infrastructure compared to banks, note security insiders, who say exchanges need to adopt a comprehensive security strategy to prevent breaches.

Sony: Sign new PSN terms or you’re bannedUse of Sony’s online services, including the PlayStation Network (PSN), which was hacked to pieces a few months ago when digital thieves made off with millions of users’ personal information, is now subject to terms and conditions that see you waiving your rights to collectively sue the company for any reason, including future security breaches.

Symantec claims cybercrime losses on a par with drugs trade revenuesAccording to Symantec’s latest Cybercrime Report 2011, the UK has suffered losses totaling £1.115 billion ($1.762 billion) over the last twelve months as a result of internet criminality. Globally, it estimates losses at £72 billion ($114 billion), rising to £246 billion ($388 billion) if lost working hours are factored in.

Windows 8 to offer built-in malware protectionMicrosoft is including a beefier version of its malware protection in Windows 8. The company is tweaking its Windows Defender tool, which has been part of the last few versions of Windows, by essentially adding some of the more robust features from its free Security Essentials product.

Microsoft Office likely to get the Metro treatmentWindows president Steven Sinofsky reiterated what we already knew: Windows 8 PCs and tablets running on ARM chips won’t be able to load applications originally built for Intel-based computers. While this is no surprise, Microsoft did also say that applications using the Windows 8 Metro interface will be easily ported to ARM platforms and that Microsoft Office will likely be given the Metro treatment.

Andreessen, others reportedly interested in YahooLooks like someone may actually still want to buy Yahoo. Several parties, including Marc Andreessen’s venture capital firm, have been in touch with Yahoo to discuss acquiring all or part of the troubled media company, according to a report by All Things Digital.

@xana452 MSE is inbuilt with the Windows Bitdefender. So in a sense it’s in OS level and not a separate program. If users don’t like it they can install their own. So I don’t think that it’s monopoly. (I mean come on, everyone is complaining on security in Windows)

GEEK TRIVIA

DID YOU KNOW?

The 14th of every month on the Korean calendar is devoted to a romantic holiday; in addition to Valentine’s Day, they also have Candle Day, White Day, Black Day, Rose Day, Kiss Day, Silver Day, Green Day, Music Day, Wine Day, Movie Day, and Hug Day.